When do chihuahua puppies open its eyes is an important question to answer when preparing for a new pup. As a pet owner, it’s important to understand when these darling pooches open its eyes and begin their journey into explorations and discoveries. This post will provide an in-depth guide for owners to be equipped with the knowledge needed to care for these tiny companions at all stages of life. Read on as we discuss what signs to look for, how long a puppy’s vision capabilities can fully form, and what behaviors are normal during this window until full sight is achieved!
Chihuahua Puppy Physical Development
Chihuahuas are one of the most popular breeds of dogs around the world. These tiny, loyal companions can bring their owners years of joy and companionship. In order to help you understand the physical development of your Chihuahua puppy, let’s take a look at some key milestones that you should be aware of.
🐾Ears
Chihuahua puppies have ears that stand erect when they are born, but their ears will start to droop down as they grow. This normal process usually takes place around three months after birth. Pay close attention to your pup’s ears during this time, as any signs of infection or irritation must be addressed immediately. If left untreated, ear infections can lead to severe health issues for your pup later in life.
🐾Weight
One of the main indicators of your pup’s physical development is its weight. When it comes to Chihuahuas, typical adult weights range from two to six pounds, with an average size of four. In order for your pup to reach its average adult weight, it needs to put on at least one pound every month until it reaches twelve months old. After this point, it should begin putting on less than one pound each month until it reaches its ideal weight.
🐾Coat
Chihuahua puppies will typically have a short coat at birth, but it’s important to note that the full range of their long-haired coats won’t come into fruition until around six months old. If you are buying a puppy from a breeder, make sure to check whether it is long- or short-haired.
🐾Teething
Just like humans, Chihuahua puppies will also need to go through a teething stage as they are born with no teeth. This process usually starts around four weeks of age and can last up to six months. During this time, your pup may experience discomfort as their puppy teeth fall out and their adult teeth start to come in. Baby teeth usually start to fall out around four months of age, and the process is usually complete around six months.
🐾Legs
Most puppies have very small legs that may seem too frail for their body. Underneath all the fur, these tiny puppies have surprisingly strong legs and can easily climb stairs or jump onto furniture. As they grow, these little legs will become even stronger and more agile. It will start to become noticeable around four months old, and by six months, your puppy will be able to run at full speed.
🐾Eyes
As remarkable as it may seem, Chihuahua puppies born with neither sight nor sound – they’re completely born deaf and born blind. The eyes adjust quickly, however, and their magnificent eyes soon open wide to reveal large pupils framed by a long fringe of eyelashes.
This big-eyed look is characteristic of all Chihuahuas, regardless of coat color or size. Specializing in seeing at night and in dim light, these dogs have a penchant for detecting danger when it lurks in places where there would be no warning to human eyesight. So although Chihuahua eyes may not give them the same level of vision as us humans, don’t be fooled into thinking our four-legged friends can’t take care of themselves!
When Do Chihuahua Puppies Open Its Eyes?
Although the puppies can’t see other pups before they’re 8 to 10 weeks old, the immense bond between dam and pup is made through smell and taste, allowing them to recognize each other almost instantly.
Moreover, a Chihuahua puppy’s eyes must remain in complete darkness while developing. So that the puppy’s ability to perceive light can develop properly. Let’s break down the stages of when exactly do Chihuahua puppies open its eyes.
👉2 Weeks
The first two weeks of a chihuahua puppy’s life are spent nursing from the mother and getting accustomed to its littermates. During this time, the puppy cannot regulate its body temperature, so it must be kept warm at all times. The ears and eyes may be closed or partially open during this stage, but they will not stand up until the puppy is four months old.
👉3-5 Weeks
Your puppy should begin to develop basic coordination skills such as walking and crawling. By now, it should also have opened its eyes – usually, one eye opens before the other! Your chihuahua pup will also start exploring more – playing with toys, running around, and generally getting into mischief! This is also when many puppies will start teething, so it’s important that you provide plenty of chew toys for them to gnaw on.
👉6-8 Weeks
It can often be the most exciting time for chihuahua owners! At this point in time, your pup should have opened both eyes, and his full vision should have improved significantly. You can expect them to become increasingly curious about their surroundings and start exploring even more than before!
During this period, you should also introduce basic training commands (sit, stay, etc.), which will help your pup get used to following directions quickly. As they start developing stronger muscles and bones during these weeks, ensure they get plenty of exercise with regular walks outside. This will help to stimulate their growing minds and tire them out for a restful night in the puppy bed.
Taking Care of Chihuahua’s Eyes
Chihuahuas are adorable, but they also require special care. One area that requires special attention is their eyes. Without proper eye care, baby chihuahuas can suffer from various conditions that can affect their eyesight and overall health. Fortunately, there are several steps that pet owners can take to ensure their Chihuahua puppy’s eyes stay healthy from puppyhood to adulthood.
👀Eye Care for Puppies
The first step in ensuring your Chihuahua’s eye health is to have them examined by a veterinarian shortly after you bring them home. This will allow the vet to identify any potential issues and provide you with advice on how to maintain your pup’s eye health. Additionally, be sure to keep up-to-date on all vaccinations and deworming, as these can help prevent eye infections or other eye issues. Also, ensure that your puppy is getting plenty of exercises and engaging in stimulating playtime activities, as this will help reduce the chances of developing vision problems later in life.
👀Eye Care for Adulthood
Once your Chihuahua reaches adulthood, it’s important to continue with regular vet visits so any potential vision problems can be identified early and treated accordingly. Make sure you feed your dog a high-quality diet that contains all the essential vitamins and minerals they need for optimal eye health. Additionally, if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors in direct sunlight, consider buying them some protective eyewear, such as sunglasses or goggles designed specifically for dogs. This will help protect chihuahua puppy’s eyes from UV rays which could lead to vision problems down the line.
👀Eye Injury Prevention
It’s also important to take steps to prevent any potential eye injuries from occurring with your Chihuahua. Make sure they always have access to clean water to flush out any debris or dirt that may get into one of their eyes. Additionally, if you notice any signs of injury or irritation, such as excessive rubbing at an eye (which could indicate discomfort), then take them in for a checkup immediately!
Lastly, always use caution when handling your dog and ensure not to put any pressure on or near their face as this could cause serious damage if done incorrectly. By taking all of these steps, you can help ensure your Chihuahua’s eyes stay healthy and vibrant for years to come.
Other Developmental Stages Chihuahua Puppies Go Through
Understanding the stages of their development is essential for ensuring that your pup grows into a healthy adult dog. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key developments Chihuahua puppies go through in their first year.
📌The Socialization Period (Weeks 8-12)
The period between weeks 8 and 12 is when your puppy enters his socialization period. This is an essential time for teaching your pup how to interact with people and other animals—and it’s also when he will begin to learn basic obedience commands like “sit” and “stay.”
During this time, it’s important to expose him to a variety of different environments and situations so that he can become well-socialized. You should also take him for regular walks and let him interact with other pet owners to help him develop confidence in new settings.
📌Fear Imprint Period (Weeks 8-11)
Between weeks 8 and 11, Chihuahuas enter their fear imprint period — a stage where they are especially sensitive to anything frightening or unfamiliar. It’s important not to introduce too many new experiences during this period as it can cause stress and anxiety, which may have long-term implications on your pup’s behavior and personality.
Instead, take things slowly by introducing one new experience at a time in a positive way — such as playing games or giving treats while introducing something new — so that your pup learns to associate the object or situation with something positive rather than negative.
📌Adolescence (Weeks 12-18)
At around week 12, your pup will enter his adolescence stage, where he will become increasingly independent and active—so you’ll need plenty of energy! During this time, it’s important to continue reinforcing basic training commands and teach him how to interact with other pets politely. So that he develops good habits early on, which will be beneficial later in life when he’s ready for more advanced activities such as agility competitions or even therapy work!
📌Behavioral Changes (Weeks 18-24)
Between weeks 18 and 24, you may notice behavioral changes in your Chihuahua. This is due to the fact that he’s now entering adulthood and is learning more about his environment as well as himself. At this stage, you may want to consider enrolling him in an obedience class or having him attend puppy play dates—both of which can help him to become more social and better behaved. Additionally, pay close attention to his environment and ensure that he’s not exposed to anything that may cause undue stress or anxiety.
Keeping Your Chihuahua Puppy Healthy and Happy
Fortunately, the rewards of owning a devoted, loyal companion more than makeup for the effort required. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your Chihuahua puppy healthy and happy.
✅Nutrition
It is important to provide your Chihuahua puppy with a balanced diet that includes high-quality proteins, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Avoid feeding your puppy foods that contain fillers, artificial additives, or preservatives, as these can cause health problems in the long run. You may want to talk to your veterinarian about the type of food best for your puppy’s age and specific needs.
✅Exercise
Your Chihuahua puppy should get plenty of exercise daily to stay healthy and happy. A good rule of thumb is at least 30 minutes each day of low-impact exercises, such as walking or playing with toys indoors or out in a fenced yard. Exercise also provides an opportunity for mental stimulation as well as socialization with other pets and people.
✅Grooming
Chihuahuas have short fur that doesn’t require much maintenance, but they need regular grooming at least once weekly. During the summer months, it is especially important to brush them regularly because their fur can become matted due to sweat build-up from running around outdoors in the heat.
Grooming helps keep their coat shiny and free of dirt, debris, or parasites such as fleas or ticks. It also helps maintain good skin health by removing dandruff and dry skin flakes caused by inadequate moisture from bathing too often with harsh soaps or shampoos.
✅Training & Socialization
Chihuahuas are intelligent dogs who thrive with guidance from a responsible owner. Early training is crucial to establish good habits down the line. Start by teaching basic commands like “sit” and “stay” to create a strong foundation for advanced training later on. Additionally, exposing your pup to different people, animals, environments, etc., will help them become comfortable in new situations—a process is known as socialization—and make them more well-rounded pups overall!
✅Healthcare
Like all puppies, Chihuahuas must be taken to the vet at least once a year for regular checkups. Additionally, they should be vaccinated against preventable diseases such as rabies and distemper. Your veterinarian can also provide additional advice on how to take care of your chihuahua puppy. Keeping up with regular vet visits and vaccinations will ensure your Chihuahua has a long, happy life.
Heartwarming Facts About Newborn Chihuahua Puppy
🔴Smallest Breed of Dog
At birth, newborn Chihuahua puppy is usually only about 2-4 ounces in weight—making it the smallest dog breeds! Most people don’t realize this until they actually bring their pup home and start getting to know them better. This fact is interesting and illustrates just how tiny these little guys really are—which makes them even more endearing for those who love small animals!
🔴Fast Growth Rate
Although newborn puppies may be tiny when they’re first born, they grow incredibly fast once they hit their first month of life. During this time period, a Chihuahua pup can gain up to two pounds per week! This rapid growth rate is impressive, and it’s something that both new and experienced pet owners should be aware of.
🔴Caring Nature
One of the most endearing facts about newborn Chihuahua puppies is their caring nature. While all dogs show affection and loyalty towards their owners, Chihuahuas seem to take it a step further. From the moment you bring your pup home, they will show you unconditional love and loyalty for many years, even when all other dogs fail you! This is why so many people find themselves drawn to this particular breed time and time again.
🔴Full-grown By 1 Year Old
Another interesting fact about newborn Chihuahua puppies is that they reach full-grown size by the time they turn one year old. This means that if you adopt a pup when they are eight weeks old, then within eight months, your pup will be as big as an adult! This makes it essential to train and socialize your puppy as soon as possible so they can learn good behavior and habits while they are still young.
🔴Feeding Is Their First Instinct
As soon as they are born, newborn Chihuahua puppies will start to show their instinctual need for food. This is because the mother will not provide milk right away—instead, she’ll keep them warm and safe until they’re ready to feed on their own. Despite the fact that feeding may be a challenge (since Chihuahua puppies are so small!), it’s important to provide them with the necessary nutrition for a healthy life.
🔴20+ Hour Sleep Capacity
Newborn Chihuahua puppies have an impressive capacity for sleep. In fact, these tiny pups can sleep up to 20 hours a day! This is great news for owners who work long hours and may not be able to give their pup the attention they need during the day. Make sure your pup is properly fed and exercised, and they’ll be happy to catch up on some rest while you’re away.
🔴Chihuahuas are Usually Born Having Short Coats
Chihuahua puppies are usually born with short coats that don’t have any distinguishing features of adult Chihuahuas. As your pup grows and matures, its coat will change color and texture as they enter adulthood—which can range anywhere from pure white to sable, chocolate brown, or black. This is one of the reasons why Chihuahuas are such a unique breed—their appearance can change drastically from one day to the next!
These are just a few of the most interesting facts about newborn Chihuahua puppies. With their tiny size, caring nature, and impressive sleeping capacity, these pups make great companions for those who want a loyal, loving companion.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Does a Puppy First Open its Eyes?
Generally speaking, puppies will open its eyes anywhere from 7-14 days after being born. To make sure that everything looks healthy and normal with your pup’s eyes, take them to the vet as soon as possible after they open. Its an important time for socialization, so let your pup out of its crate. And spend time with it, if possible, during this stage.
What Should I Expect from a Two-Week-Old Puppy?
At two weeks old, your puppy should be able to recognize its mother and siblings (if applicable) and respond to loud noises in their environment. You can expect them to start exploring more and showing some personality around this time as well. They will still be nursing their mother at this stage, so keep that in mind when planning their diet.
Do The Eyes Of Chihuahua Pups Change Their Color?
Yes! Chihuahua pups often have very dark eyes at birth, but these will usually lighten up over time as they mature—sometimes even changing color entirely by adulthood! Some breeds may experience less dramatic changes while others may experience more drastic ones—it really depends on the individual pup you have! Keep an eye out for changes in eye color over time!
How Often Ought A Puppy Eat?
It depends on their age—younger puppies (up until about three months old) will need to eat more often than older ones since they are growing quickly and need lots of energy for development. Generally speaking, though, puppies should eat three times per day until they reach 12 weeks old, whereafter two meals per day is sufficient until adulthood (at which point one meal per day is adequate).
When Is It Appropriate For A Mother Dog To Discontinue Sleeping With Its Puppies?
The mother should continue sleeping with her puppies until they reach four weeks old or so – after that point, they should be weaned off her milk entirely and start eating solid puppy food instead. At this stage, she should no longer be sleeping with them. However, she may stay close by to provide warmth and protection as necessary! This is an important step for the pups to establish their independence and trust. It will also help pave the way for them to learn how to interact with other dogs and humans.
How Often Should A Chihuahua Puppy Be Vaccinated?
Chihuahua puppies should be vaccinated according to the standard recommendation for their age. This generally begins at 6-8 weeks old and continues until they are around 16 weeks old. After that, they may need booster shots periodically to maintain their immunity against certain diseases. Talk to your vet about the specifics of your pup. Overall, the goal is to ensure your pup stays healthy and happy!
Final Words
So, now that you know when do chihuahua puppies open its eyes and more, you can better prepare and provide your pup with the best care. Remember that each pup is unique, so their development may differ slightly from the average – keep an eye out for any irregularities and take them to the vet if needed.
Here at ILoveChihuahua, we share our personal experiences as owners of this feisty breed. We talk about recommended methods, dog supplies picks, and advice on common Chihuahua problems. Our goal is to promote responsible dog ownership, so there would be fewer Chihuahuas in shelters.